Hair curler



Dec. 30, 1941. s. FREEMAN HAIR CURLER Filed April 27, 19:59

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view Patented Dec. 3(2), 1941 UNiTED STATES PATENT OFICE HAIR CURLER Samuel Freeman, New York, N. Y. Application April 27, 1939, Serial No. 270,329

10 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and improved hair curler.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a hair curler by means of which both ends of a curl are clamped between the body or shank of a bobby pin and two nturned gripping endportions of said bobby pin.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination of an improved curler and an improved bobby pin or clamping pin or other clamping device.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for curling the hair so as to form a uniform curl, in which all of the hairs are confined between the body of the bobby pin and the nturned gripping end-portions thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device by means of which the bobby pin can,

be detachably assembled with the curler before the curler is operated.

Another object is to provide a device whereby the bobby pin can be detachably assembled with the curler, while the curler is open and also while the curler is closed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which will make it unnecessary to hold the bobby pin with one hand during the curling operation, even though the bobby pin is assembled with the curler.

Another object of the invention is to provide several embodiments which can be easily manufactured at low cost and which will be simple and convenient to use.

Other objects of the invention will be stated in the annexed description and drawing which illustrates several embodiments thereof.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of the curler, assembled with the bobby pin. The curler is shown in the closed position.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end view at the line 3-3 of Fig. l, with the representation of the spring omitted.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of a part of the device illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 'ii- 5 of Fig. 4, the representation of the spring also having been omitted in this View.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of one of the clamping members which is used in another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 are respectively sectional views on the lines 'I-l and 8-8 of Fig. 6.

of another embodiment of the invention, part of the representation of the device having been omitted.

Fig. 10 is an elevation on the line I0 III of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 shows the assembly of an element of the general type illustrated in Fig. 6, together with a companion element of substantially the same construction.

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view of another embodiment.

Fig. 12a is a side elevation of one of the embodiments of the improved bobby pin which is used with the curling device.

It is well known to detachably assemble a conventional bobby pin with a hair-curling device or curler at one end of the curler, to form the curl on the curler, and then to slip the curl off the device together with the bobby pin, so that the Wall of the curl is nally clamped between the legs of the bobby pin. In using devices of this type, one end of the curl is frequently not clamped between the legs ofthe bobby pin, and the hairs separated from the curl, thus producing an irregular curl.

For use with the improved device, I provide a bobbypin Which isl made of suitable resilient material such as metal or the like, and the shank of said bobby pin is provided with two nturned gripping end-portions. Several embodiments of this bobby pin are shown in my companion application led on even date.

Thisimproved bobby pin is detachably assembled with the curler so that the nturned gripping end-portions are separated from the shank of the bobby pin. After the curl has been completed, it is removed from the curling device in unison with the bobby pin. The nturned resilient gripping end-portions of the bobby pin then spring towards the shank of the bobby pin, sov that the shank of the bobby pin overlies the entire wall of the curl and the wall of the curl .is clamped at each end thereof between the shank of the bobby pin and the respective inturned resilient gripping end-portion.

Referring to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, said embodiment has semi-frusto-conical body members I and 2. These body members I and 2 have adjacent planar surfaces alongwhich they contact when the device is closed. The body members I and 2 respectively have semiconical recesses `Ib and 2b at their front ends. At their rear ends the body members I and 2 are respectively provided with integral heads Ia and Ib and with integral arms I'a and 2a.

When the body members I and 2 are inthe closed position shown in Fig. 2, their combined contour is generally frusto-conical, save for the heads 1a. and 1b. The combined recesses I b and 2b then form a single conical recess. It is unnecessary to taper the members I and 2 and .i their shape could be semi-cylindrical or any other desired shape.

At its rear end the body member I is provided with a recess I c which is of semi-conical shape save where it is interrupted by the arm 1o I a. The `body member 2 is provided with a corresponding recess 2c. The arms Ia and 2a are of U-shaped cross-section, as shown in Fig.` 5. However said arms can be of any desired shape. Said arms are connected by a pivot member 3 l.; which may be of the rivet type. The shank of this pivot member 3 fits snugly in holes which are provided in the arm 2a. The arm la is provided with slots 6 through which said shank passes, so that said arms are bodily movable 2n towards each other and away from each other, in additionto being turnable relative to each other Yaround the axis of .pivot member 3. The arm 2u may be provided with slots correspondg ing to the slots 6. This relative bodily movement *415 permits theplan'ar clamping surfaces of the body members I and 2 to clamp the end of a curl of hair between said surfaces, since said additional relative body movement permits the planarrm clamping surfaces to contact fully with each 230 other.

Generally speaking, the invention includes every form of device whereby the arms Ia and '2a can turn relative to each other around a predetermined axis and said arms can also move relative to each other independently of said turning movement.

Enough clearance is provided between the heads of the pivot pin 3 and thearms Ia and@ 2a so as to provide easy turning. The usual 11o spring 4 urges the body members I and 2 towards each other until they normally contact fully along their adjacent planar surfaces.

Thebobby pin 5 is made of resilientmetal or'. 4 other resilient material and it is provided withk 115 two integral inturned gripping-end portions. The tips of said end-portions normally touch or are very close to the shank of the pin 5.

In the drawing herein, save for Fig. 12a, theI inturned gripping end-portions of the bobby pintfl are shown as temporarily sprung away from the shank of the pin. For further details of the bobby pin, reference is made to my companion application filed on even date.

It may be assumed that the bobby pin is lo 55 cated in a definite plane, this being the plane of the paper in Fig. 12a. The bobby pin is ininoduced between the separated members I and 2, with the plane of the bobby pin parallel to the... median plane of the device, which is indicated'() by the reference letter Ip in Fig. 3. When the device is closed, the planar clamping surfaces of members I and 2 clamp the tip of the lock of hair in said plane. The inturned end-portions of the bobby pin can then be located in the end '65 recesses of one of the members I and 2, such as the recesses 2b and 2c, without bending or without substantially bending the shank of the bobby pin. It is merely necessary to temporarf,

ily spring the inturned end-portions of the bobby y70 pin away from its shank. As later stated herein, the gripping end-portions can be suciently normally spaced from the shank so that the bobby pin' can be assembled with the vcurler without..T

bending or stressing any part of the bobby pin. 75'

The end of the lock of hair is then clamped between the planar surfaces of the body members I and 2. While the body members I and 2 are thus in clamping position, the curling de` vice is turned around its own longitudinal axis so that the hair is wound spirally around the closed members I and 2 and the curl is formed between the outer wall of the closed curling device and the spaced shank of the bobby pin 5.

While the curl is being formed, the curler can be turned with one hand and the bobby pin can be held against turning with the other-hand. The hair will not contact with the shank of the bobby pin until the wall of the curl has a predetermined thickness. If the space between the shank of the bobby pin and the outer wall of the closed curler is sufliciently large, the wall of the curl will not contact with the shank of the bobby pin during the entire curling operation, and the device may be used in this manner. It is not necessary to hold the bobby pin with one hand. If the curler can turn freely relative to 'the bobby pin, the bobby pin will hang freely from the curler, while theV curler is turned relative to the bobby pin. If the bobby pin tends to turn in unison with the curler, the turning of the curler will rst turn the bobby pin in unison with the curler, until the bobby pin contacts with the lock of hair. This will prevent further turning of the bobby pin in unison with the curler. Hence it is one of the advantages of the improved device that it can be held at each end thereof by the operator. Likewise, the wall of the curler can be spaced from the shank of the bobby pin when the curl has been fully wound upon the curler, or the wall of the curl can be caused to contact with the bobby pin, at any time prior to the completion of the winding of the curl.

Y It is suliiclent if the initial spacing between the shank of the bobby pin and the outer wall of the curler is large enough to enable the hair to enter said space. Further winding of the ,hair around the curler so as to increase the thickness of vthe wall of the curl will outwardly bend the resilient shank. `The hair is wound in curl form around the curler fairly tightly, but with enough clearance between the curler and the inner wall of the curl so that the body mem- 'bers I and 2 can be slightly separated after the curl has been made. The bobby pin, assembled with the curl, can then be slipped longitudinally 'off the curler.

After the curl has been completed, the body members I and 2 are slightly separated, so that their planar clamping surfaces release the curl. The bobby pin is then turned around an axis parallel to its shank, and the bobby pin is also moved bodily in a direction perpendicular to its f shank to a release position, until the entire bobby pin, including its gripping end-portions, is located inthe space between said yplanar clamping surfaces, and the gripping end-portions, spring back towards the shank, thus clamping each end of the curl between the shank and the respective gripping end-portion. The curl and the assembled bobby pin are then held in one hand, and

Athe curler is slid longitudinally out of the curl from left to right (referring to Fig. 1) with the other hand, leaving the bobby pin in its clamping position on the curl. The curl is therefore effectively gripped at each end thereof by the bobby pin before the curler is separated from the curl and the bobby pin, and before there is y any relative longitudinal movement between the curl and the bobby pin. The curler can be held stationary, and the curl and the bobby ypin can be slid off the curler when the bobby pin is in the release position, and it has clamped the ends of the curl. I

In Fig. 2, one of the tips of the gripping enclportions extends to the inner ends` of the associated recesses. This is not necessary, 'and both ltips of the gripping end-portions can be spaced from the inner ends ofthe respective recesses. If desired, both tips kcan extend to the ends of the associated recesses. .v

If desired, the bobby pin can be snapped into the position shown in Fig. 2 While the curling device is closed. The method Vof manipulation is arm 9a is provided with vertical slots I'I which correspond to the slot B and the pivot pin I8 corresponds to the pivot pin 3. The recesses 8b and 9b are equal, and the recesses 8c and 9c are also equal.

As shown in Fig. 6, the end recesses of the body members are much deeper than in the rst ern- 1' bodirnents of Figs. 1-5, and the length of each gripping end-portion ofthe bobby pin is almost equal to one-half the length of the shank, so that almost the entire' wall of the curl is clamped between the shank and the gripping end-portions.

Ii the hair is moistened prior to curling the same, and each curl is allowed to dry while it is thus clamped by an associated bobby pin, the dry hair retains the curled form.` The curl can then be unroled in order to remove the type of bobby pin shown in Fig. 6, and upon then releasing the dry curled lock of hair, it will naturally resume its curled shape. The length of each gripping end-portion may be any proportiony of one-half the length oi the shank.

By separating the body members, the bobby pin can be inserted between said body members, and the gripping end-portions of the bobby pin can be readily inserted in the end-recesses of one of the body members. The method of use is the same as that previously described.

The iirst two embodiments can be made by molding or die-casting the parts, which can be made of metal or any suitable plastic or the like.

Said embodiments can also be made by screwmachine Work.

The par-ts of the third embodiment of Figs. 9 and 10 can be made by a simple stamping process. This third embodimentcornprises a pair. of semi-cylindrical or tapered half-sleeves I and II, which areconnected turnably by the means previously illustrated. In this third embodiment the half-sleeves III` and Il can turn relative to each other about the pivot of half-sleeves I0 and I I and they can also move bodily relative to each other in a non-turning movement as previously illustrated. v

Semi-cylindrical or tapered outer half-sleeves I2 and I4 are provided with struck-out angular tongues I5 whose shanks fit snugly in suitable openings in the Walls of the inner sleeves I9 and II. The longitudinally bent portions of the tongues I5 arev connected to theinner members ID 'and II by means of solder or in any other suitablemann'er. The outer half-sleeves I2 and I4 are thus held permanently spacedfromfthe inner half-sleeves III and Il.' The outer halfsleeve l2 moves in unison with the corresponding inner half-sleeve III andthe outer half-sleeve I4 moves'in unison with thev inner half-sleeve Il.

As shown in Fig. 10, the inner half-sleeves I0 and` Il may be slightly spaced from each other when theouter half-sleeves I2 and I4 contact along their adjacent clamping planar surfaces.

.The adjacent planar surfaces of half-sleeves I0 and II, and of I2 and I4, act as clamping surfaces. The clamping surfaces of half-sleeves I0 and I I Imay contact when the clamping surfaces of half-sleeves I2 and I4 contact.

The bobby pin which is used with the embodiment of Fig. 9 may have the tips of its inturned gripping end-portions normally spacedfrom the shank of said bobby pin, when said bobby pin is in the normalunstressed condition.

The walls of the half-sleeves I2 and I4 may be very thin, as thin as alf of an inch. The normal distance between the shank of the bobby pin and the tip of its inturned end-portionmay be als of an inch or more. Hence it isV possible to assemble the bobby pin with one of the halfsleeves I2 and I4, when they have been separated, without springing the gripping end-portions ravvay from the shank. The shank will then depend freely from the curler, and the shank will be bent away from the curler as soon as the Wall of the curl exceeds apredetermined thickness, which will exceed the normal distance between the shank of the bobby pin and the tips of its gripping end-portions.

Fig. 6 shows a bobby pin having its gripping end-portions' provided with upstanding walls of curved or bow shape. When the resilient gripping end-portions are sprung away `from the shank, the end-edges of the body'members will contact with the median portions of said bows, when the bobby pin is assembled with the curler. Further lateral movement of the shank towards Vthe curler-member Will then be prevented, so

that the shank will be held normally spaced from the outer wall of the closed curling device. The shank shown in Fig. 6 will be bent laterally away from the outer wall of the closed curling device, if the Wall of the curl is of sufficient thickness.

The length of the curl may be equal to the length of the body of the curler, or less than eoV such length.

This device therefore makes it possible to make lcurls of` any 1ength,.and much longer than has Yheretofore been possible with former devices in which anordinary bobby pin was detachably v.mounted in a curler prior to the commencement .of the curling operation.

The embodiment of Fig. 12 comprises an outer sleeve 2U which is made'of fabric or other suitable bendable or exible material. Rigid inserts 24are located at the ends of said sleeve 20 and said inserts are suitably connected to the ends of said sleeve. A rigid clamping bar 2| is pivotally connected at 22 to the insert 24 and to the corresponding portion of the sleeve 20. 'I'his clamping bar 2| may or may not have a spring. A compression spring 21 maintains the cylin- `der 20 in the normal shape' shown in Fig. 12, in which its outer surface is smooth. The bobby pin can be readily slipped into the position shown in Fig. 12 when the inserts 24 are pushed towards eachother-so as to diminish the effective length of the sleeve 20. The inserts 24 are provvided with integral ngerhold projections 23. Annular grooves 261are thus provided in the in- 4serts l24 for receiving the inturned ends of the bobby pin. The curl is made while the device has the normal shape shown in Fig. .12. The length ofthe sleeve 20 yis then diminished by pushing the inserts 24 towards each other, so as to release the gripping end-portions of the bobby pin from the grooves 26. The curler can then be separated from the curl and the bobby pin. The member 20 can consist of conventional telescopic sleeves.

Fig. 12a shows a bobby pin having a shank 5 and having gripping end-portions provided `with dat walls W which are substantially perpendicular `to the shank A5. This bobby pin can be made outof resilient wire whose cross-section is circular or rectangular or of any other suitable shape. As shown in Fig. 6 `the walls W can be outwardly bowed instead of being flat or planar.

Fig. 12a shows the tips of the gripping endportions abutting the shank 5. Since a curl has substantial thickness, this contact is not necessary and the tips of the gripping end-portions may be normally spaced from the bobby pin when it is in the unstressed or normal shape.

I have shown preferred embodiments of my invention but it is clear that numerous changes and omissions can be made from its spirit.

While I prefer to -use a bobby pin or holding member which is made of resilient material, the invention is not to be limited thereto because the holding members shown in Fig. 12a and in the other iigures can be made of wirestrip or .the like which is bendable but which is not resilient. Suchnon-resi'lient clamping members can be made in the normal shape illustrated in Figs. 6 and 12a, for example, and they -can 'be used in the manner previously stated, save that it would be necessary to bend the g-rippingendportions'towards the shank, in order to clamp the curl. In each of the embodiments the vbobby pin canxbe released from'the `curler withoutfsubstantially bending the inturned ends of the bobby pin relative to its shank. This is a substantial advantage because although these bobby pins are made of resilient material, they `are permanently deformed out of normal shape if said inturned .ends are bent too much relative to the shank.

While I have described the formation o'f a spiral curl, the invention is not limited to the formation of such curl.

In the embodiment of Figs. 1-4, 'the two body members I and 2 `operate to clamp the end of the vlock of hair between said` body members so that it is unnecessary to provide ya :supplemental clamping member. It is Ywell .known .to provide a conventional type of curler having a sleevelike body vand a clamping member which is vpivotally connected to `said Asleeve-like body, and'the invention is not limited to a curler of any particular construction.

In each of the embodiments: herein described,

.the curler is shaped so las to detachablyhold the bobby pin assembled with the curler, by means of the inturned ends of the bobby pin.` Likewise, the shank of the bobby pin, or a sufficient portion thereof, is held normally spaced from the curler, so that `hair `can be introduced between the shank and the curler. The curler is constructed .so that it can be .manipulated to release the bobby pin, without substantially bending the shankof the bobby pin. v

without departing ISU In comhinetiom a curling device and a clamping device, `said `clamping device having a shank whichhas inturned ends, said curling device .having tvvcv parts which are capable of movement relative to eachother, said parts being shaped to releasably hold the clamping device Iat the inner faces vof said inturned ends, said two parts being movable to a position in which said -clamping device is releasable from said curling device without substantially bending said shank, said curling device being turna'ble relative to theassembled clamping device, when said clamping device is held as aforesaid. 2. In combination, v"a curling device and a clampingv device having a shank which has inturned ends, said Vcurling device having two parts which are pivotally connected to each other so 'that said two parts ycan be moved away from each other and towards each other, said .parts being shaped so that said clamping device can be held at the inner .faces of its .inturned ends by either of said parts when said parts are separated from eachother and without substantially bending said shank or said inturned ends, said curling device being turnable relative to the kassembled clamping device.

3. In combination, a curling device and a clamping device, said clamping device having a vshank which has inturned ends, said curling device comprising two parts which are pivotally connected, each -of said parts having end recesses adapted to detachably receive said inturned ends, 4said curling device being turnable relative to the assembled clamping device.

4LVA hair-curling device comprising two parts which are movable towards each other and away from each other, said parts having recesses which are .shaped to detachably receive the inturned ends of the shank of a clamping device, isaid hair-curling device .being turnable relative to the assembled clamping device.

:5. A ycurling device comprising two parts which are pivotally connected to each other, said parts having adjacent clamping surfaces, said parts being shaped to detachably receive the inturned ends of the shank of 'a clamping device, said `curling `device being turnable relative to the assembled clamping device.

-6. A curling device comprising a rst member having recesses at its :ends which are shaped to detachably and turnably receive the inturned ends -of the shank of a hair-.clamping device, and a clamping .member associated with said first member.

7. A curling device which has a holding member shaped to detachably and turnably hold Athe ends cf a hair-clamping device so that said holding member .can be turned relative to said hair-clamping device.

8. A vcurling device which has a holding member having recesses at the endsthereof, said recesses being shaped to detachably and turnably hold the ends of a hair-clamping device so that said holding member .can be turned relative to said hair-clamping device;

9. In combination, a curling device, .a resilient clamping device having a shank and an inturned end at eachendbf Asaid shank, said curling device having -two portions whichare movable relative to eachother and which are .movable relative to each vrother to la predetermined holding position, said `portions being vshaped to hold said 'clamping device atits inturned yends when said portions are in lsaid hold-ing position, vsaid portions being movable to a second position in which said inturned ends can be released from said portions While maintaining said ends in inturned position, said curling device being turnable relative to the shank when said portions are in holding position.

10. A curling device having two holding portions Which are movable relative to each other, said holding portions being shaped to rotatably grip the inturned ends of the shank of a hairclamping device when said holding portions are in predetermined holding position, said holding portions being movable out of said holding position to a second position in which said hairclamping device can be released from said curling device while maintaining said ends in inturned shape.

SAMUEL FREEMAN. 

